Celtic too strong for Stranraer in cup

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10 Jan 2016

By Richard Wilson BSports Scotland at Stair Park

Celtic's two strikers delivered the goals that knocked Stranraer out of the Scottish Cup in a composed display.

Leigh Griffiths struck once in each half, and almost scored a third with a remarkable volley.

Carlton Cole headed his first goal for Celtic in between, as the duo showed signs of a developing partnership.

Stranraer worked hard, but made little headway in front of goal as the gulf between the League One side and the Premiership champions was laid bare.

Ronny Deila's team selection set the tone for Celtic's display. There was no sense of the visitors using the tie as an opportunity to bring fringe players to the fore, and the performance was shaped by its professionalism and attitude.

Leigh Griffiths fires home the opener

Inevitably, it was Celtic's greater quality that separated the teams. Stranraer were industrious, working tirelessly to close down space. In possession, though, they could not create anything meaningful, whereas Celtic were at their most alert in the final third.

Although Cole was occasionally sluggish in his movement, his power and wiliness provided Celtic with a presence to play off up front. Even in a strong wind, and on a bobbly pitch, the visitors took command.

The breakthrough came when Callum McGregor saw the opportunity to slip Griffiths through, and the weight of his pass was perfect. The striker weighed up his options and expertly placed a shot beyond Max Currie.

The teenage Stranraer goalkeeper was helpless on that occasion, but he was impressively resolute moments later as he saved twice from Griffiths in a matter of seconds. Celtic's intent was evident, and there was reward for that endeavour before half-time, when Cole headed Nir Bitton's cross in from close range.

Smoke-bombs thrown by Celtic fans had to be cleared from the pitch before kick-off

There was less coherence to Celtic's attacking play after the break, which allowed Stranraer a sense that the game was not over as a contest. Even so, Currie had to be alert. A jinking run by Stefan Johansen ended with his shot being cleared off the line by Scott Robertson, then Cole's overhead kick was held in a diving save by Currie.

As if not wanting to be outdone by his strike partner, Griffiths unleashed an outstanding acrobatic volley, flipping in mid air to send the ball over his shoulder and on target, but Currie tipped his effort over the bar.

Stranraer remained subdued as an attacking force, although Craig Malcolm's header from inside the six-yard box forced the Celtic goalkeeper Logan Bailly to dive on the ball. In contrast, when Griffiths was sent through by an excellent Scott Allan pass, the striker finished decisively.

Celtic will be satisfied with this display, but the behaviour of some away fans - smoke-bombs were evident before and during the game - will have caused them some dismay.

Lineup, Bookings (0) & Substitutions (6)

Stranraer

13 Currie
15 Dick
08 Bell
24 Rumsby
04 Pettigrew
11 McCloskey (Gibson - 61' )
07 Cairney
02 Robertson
20 McGuigan (Stirling - 61' )
09 Malcolm
14 Longworth (Thomson - 80' )

Substitutes

01 Brown
05 Barron
10 Stirling
12 Gibson
16 Turner
23 Thomson
25 Nequecaur

Celtic

26 Bailly
63 Tierney (Blackett - 77' )
05 Simunovic
04 Ambrose
23 Lustig
42 McGregor
25 Johansen
06 Bitton
15 Commons (Rogic - 74' )
09 Griffiths
24 Cole (Allan - 69' )

Substitutes

02 Blackett
16 Mackay-Steven
18 Rogic
19 Allan
34 O'Connell
38 Fasan
49 Forrest

Ref: Andrew Dallas

Att: 4,051

Match Stats

Possession 36 64

Shots

2 16

On target

1 12

Corners

1 6

Fouls

5 8

Live Text Commentary

Full time

Full Time Match ends, Stranraer 0, Celtic 3.

90:00 +2:02 Full time

Full Time Second Half ends, Stranraer 0, Celtic 3.

90:00 +1:05

Attempt missed. Scott Allan (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the left.

90:00 +0:23

Attempt missed. Tomas Rogic (Celtic) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the right.

85:37

Corner, Celtic. Conceded by Max Currie.

85:31

Attempt saved. Leigh Griffiths (Celtic) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom left corner.

83:57 Goal scored

Goal! Goal! Stranraer 0, Celtic 3. Leigh Griffiths (Celtic) left footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Scott Allan.